Patents by Inventor Donald Runyon

Donald Runyon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230396327
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Patent number: 11770179
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20230283360
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20230224024
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20210211189
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Patent number: 10985833
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20200274611
    Abstract: The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron MENDELSOHN, DONALD RUNYON
  • Publication number: 20070232228
    Abstract: A wireless repeater that includes a universal server base unit and modular donor antenna options. The universal server base unit includes a base unit bidirectional amplifier, a server antenna, and a housing that accepts an internal donor antenna board or an internal adapter module connected to a cable port for receiving a coaxial cable connected to an external donor antenna. This allows the same universal server base unit to work with a variety of internal and external donor antenna options. In particular, the external donor antennas include outdoor swivel-mounted options including a helical circular polarization antenna, a dual polarization panel antenna, and a vertical polarization panel antenna. The donor antenna may include an optional donor bidirectional antenna located in or near the donor antenna and powered via the cable from the server base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: David McKay, Donald Runyon, Stephen Thompson, James Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20070152772
    Abstract: A wiper-type variable power divider with capacitive junctions to minimize the creation of passive intermodulation interference (PIM) during adjustment of the power divider. The variable power divider includes an adjustable, wiper-type phase shifter connected to a hybrid power divider. The output ports of the hybrid power divider produce two RF signals having variable and complementary power amplitudes as the power divider is adjusted throughout its adjustment range. The power divider output signals also have a sum that is substantially equal to a constant quantity throughout the adjustment range of the power divider. The phase shifter is well suitable for use in a base station antenna, where it can be used for be beam steering and beam width adjustment. The variable power divider can also be operated by remote control of a motorized actuator that operates the power divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20070008236
    Abstract: A communication system can comprise an ordered arrangement or array of two sets, groups, or groups of antenna elements. The system can transmit or receive two bands or ranges of electromagnetic energy, signals, or radiation. The first set of the antenna elements can operate one of the bands, while the second set can operate the other band. The first set of antenna elements can be arranged or disposed to form a line or a column. The second set of antenna elements can be arranged or disposed on opposite sides of the line, with some of those elements on one side of the line and the remainder on the other side. The antenna elements that are on one side of the line can be staggered or longitudinally offset with respect to the antenna elements that are on the opposite side of the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: EMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Tillery, James Carson, Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20060255951
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment in accordance with the invention, an order-picking system includes a picking cart having a radio frequency (RF) antenna arranged above an object-stacking surface of the picking cart. The order-picking system further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader coupled to the RF antenna. The RFID tag reader is configured to identify a first RFID tag attached to a first tagged object placed on the picking cart and further configured to eliminate identification of a second RFID tag attached to a second tagged object located outside a perimeter of the object-stacking surface of the picking cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: William Roeder, Donald Runyon, Richard Sorenson, Michael Clott
  • Publication number: 20060255949
    Abstract: The present invention provides an antenna for reading RFID tags in a material handling environment. At least one ruggedized, upward-looking antenna is mounted on the fork (or other base-level platform) of a pallet jack or pallet truck. The antenna can be configured to read RFID tags on pallets that are loaded on the pallet jack and communicate the tag information to a warehouse management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: William Roeder, Donald Runyon, Richard Sorenson, Michael Clott
  • Publication number: 20060255948
    Abstract: The present invention provides an antenna system for reading RFID tags and/or transmitting and receiving wireless network signals, including for example wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, in a material handling environment. A ruggedized antenna can be mounted on the load backrest of a lift truck and configured to accomplish the reading of RFID tags that indicate particular pallet storage locations and the reading of RFID tags that indicate warehouse locations, such as specific loading docks. The antenna system can also be configured to accomplish transmitting and receiving WLAN signals for communication with a warehouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Runyon, William Roeder, Richard Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20060255950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tine-mounted antenna for reading RFID tags in a warehouse environment using RFID technology operating at ultra-high frequencies (UHF) or microwave frequencies and backscatter coupling techniques. At least one ruggedized antenna is mounted on the tine (or other base-level platform) of a lift truck (e.g., a forklift). The antenna can be configured to read RFID tags on pallets that are loaded on the lift truck and communicate the tag information to a warehouse management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: William Roeder, Donald Runyon, Richard Sorenson, Michael Clott
  • Publication number: 20060205341
    Abstract: Wireless repeaters that utilize balanced and quasi-balanced antenna feed circuits for feedback suppression. The wireless repeater typically implements dual cross-polarization isolation both along and between uplink and downlink signal paths, which relies on dual-polarization server and donor antennas. The unit may utilize balanced antenna feeds for both polarizations or balanced antenna feeds for one polarization and unbalanced antenna feeds for the other polarization. In addition, the unbalanced antenna feeds may be deployed in a two-element quasi-balanced configuration, and the antenna may include dual-polarization antenna element. The antenna elements may include dual-polarization antenna elements or separate antenna elements for each polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20060205343
    Abstract: A wireless repeater with features that improve the server-donor antenna isolation including multi-purpose server and donor mounting plates that each carry an antenna feed circuit board and associated antenna elements mounted in a back-to-back arrangement with the duplex repeater electronics board sandwiched between the server and donor mounting plates. To improve the server-donor antenna isolation, one or both mounting plates may include corner, side tabs, which may be asymmetric, and raised walls around one or both mounting plates. In addition, the radomes covering the donor antenna and/or the server antennas may carry one or more parasitic conductors, such as a two parasitic strips arranged in parallel lines or for parasitic strips arranged in a square configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Runyon, Stephen Thompson, James Maxwell, David McKay
  • Publication number: 20050206569
    Abstract: A substantially planar antenna configured for easy installation in a ceiling or ceiling tile. The antenna is configured for duplex communications in carrier frequency ranges spanning at least a 2:1 ratio of frequency values from the highest to the lowest frequency in the carrier frequency band, such as the frequency range from 800 to 960 MHz and 1700 to 2400 MHz, and within a coverage pattern below the ceiling extending through 360° azimuth and 180° elevation. The antennas are manufactured as a printed circuit board that snaps apart into a number of panels, which each contains at least a planar antenna element and a cross brace that are used to assemble the antenna. The printed circuit board is a dielectric substrate carrying printed conductor including a radiating circular monopole disc radiating element, associated transmission signal paths, and printed indicia that typically include assembly instructions and a logo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: David Arndt, Donald Runyon, Sara Ellen Phillips
  • Publication number: 20050017822
    Abstract: A variable power divider and method can vary the RF power between ports in a high power and multi-carrier RF environment, such as is used in controlling signals sent and received in a base station antenna. The variable power divider can include a single-control phase shifter and a hybrid power divider. The single-control phase shifter can comprise a three-port device having a single input port and two output ports. The single-control phase shifter can further comprise a variable adjuster that can change or adjust the phase between two RF signals. The hybrid power divider can comprise a four-port device having two input ports and two output ports. Both the single-control phase shifter and the hybrid power divider can comprise substantially planar structures that are suitable for high-speed manufacturing. The output ports of the hybrid power divider can be coupled to various devices such antennas or power absorbing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: EMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Runyon
  • Publication number: 20050012665
    Abstract: A dual-polarization wireless base station antenna that implements vertical electrical downtilt and sidelobe reduction using beam steering circuit that includes a variable power divider and a multi-beam beam forming network. The variable power divider includes a single adjustable control element to divide an input voltage signal into a pair of complimentary amplitude voltage drive signals that exhibit matched phase and constant phase delay through the variable power divider. The beam forming network is configured as a double-sided, edge-connected microstrip module mounted to a main panel, which support the antenna elements in a vertical column organized into sub-arrays in a manner that implements sidelobe reduction. The power distribution network connecting the beam steering network to the antenna elements implements beam tilt bias and sidelobe reduction through coordinated phase shifting implemented through transmission media trace length adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Runyon, James Carson, Darin Janoschka